It’s Ok To Walk During the Asheville Running Experience Half Marathon

The Asheville Running Experience Half Marathon race-course (or any other half marathon course for that matter) is not the place to show how tough you are. Just being in the race is proof of that. We often hear racers claim they “didn’t walk one step” during a race. If that’s a personal goal, we definitely want to celebrate that success. But for many, walking during a half marathon can be difference of meeting or not meeting a personal goal.

This is particularly true with races like the Asheville Running Experience Half Marathon, where the course is sprinkled with hills. Walking up these hills, especially in the beginning stages of a race, can be more efficient. Why blow yourself up early, when walking will get you to the top almost as fast (and with less energy). Time can easily be made up running down the other side.

There are four places on Asheville Running Experience Half Marathon course that this strategy can be applied:

Cherokee Road between Terrace Drive and Canterbury

The top of Kimberly Avenue

Inglewood Road as it curves past the golf course toward the entrance to the Country Club of Asheville

The top half of Jarnaul Road

Past racers might also suggest portions of Lookout Road. That climb is more long than steep but it all depends on how you are feeling at the time. At this point of the race, it might feel good to walk, saving energy for the final ascent into downtown Asheville.

Aid stations are another opportunity for walking breaks. It is easier to drink and eat while walking. This also allows racers to ingest more of the valuable fluids and nutrients needed to finish. The Asheville Running Experience Half Marathon has eight aid stations throughout the course, which means eight short opportunities to save fuel while taking it in at the same time.